Signal



Jan. 19, 1932. H. M. DEM-S, JR

S IGNAL Filed March 18, 1929 A TTORNE Y.

Patented Jan. 199, 1932 HERMAN M. DBMS, JR., OF D ES PLAINES, ILLINOZS SIGNAL Application filed March 18, 1929. Serial No. 348,084.

This invention relates to certain novel improvements in signal devices and has for its principal object the provision of a device particularly adapted for use in connection with auto-motive vehicles and the lilreto apprise pedestrians and operators of other vehicles of v the intentions of the operator of the vehicle equipped with my improved device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which will embody a novel means for controlling operation thereof andv which means may be mounted at an expeditious point so as to permit feasible operation thereof.

Other and further objects will be made apparent in the following description wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view depicting a vehicle with which my improved device has been associated;

Figure 2 is a sectional detail view depicting the improved control device employed in my apparatus;

Figure 3 is a view looking in at the right side of Figure 2;

Figure 1 is a sectional detail view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a sectional detail view taken substantially on the line 55 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a detail view of the indicating member employed in my apparatus; and

Figure 7 is a wiring diagram of my improved device.

In the drawings I have shown my improved apparatusin connection with a vehicle, indicated by 10. The indicating means of my apparatus includes the lamp housings 11 and 12 which are fixed on the 0 side posts 13 and 14 of the windshield of the vehicle 10 by brackets 15 and 16. The forward walls of the lamp housings 11 and 12 are closed by transparent plates such as r 17 preferably of glass. A partition 18 divides the housings 11 into upper and lower con'ipartments 19 and 29f In the compartment 19 a lamp 21 is mounted while a lamp 22 is mounted in the compartment 20. The lamps 21 and 22 are preferably of diiferent colors; for example, the lamp 21 may be red while the lamp 22 is green, and the plate 17 is preferably colorless. Therefore, when the lamp 21 is illuminated it will indicate that the operator intends to stop while the illuminating of the lamp 22 will indicate intention to proceed. These lamps are controlled by the following mechanism.

At a suitable point, within easy reach of the operator of the vehicle 10; for example, on the dash 23 I arrange a switch structure generically indicated by 24. This switch structure 2 1 includes a barrel 25 which is extended thru an opening 26 in the dash 23. The barrel 25 includes an enlarged portion 27 on the end thereof disposed interiorly of the dash 23 which defines a shoulder 28. The opening 26 is enlarged at the inner end thereof and thus a shoulder 29 is defined. A spring .30 is disposed around the barrel 25 on the portion thereof in the enlarged portion of the bore and said spring 30 extends between the shoulders 28 and 29 and tends to urge the barrel 25 inwardly. The base por tion 31 of the handle 32 is connected to the outer end of the barrel 25 and limits this inward urging imparted by the spring 30. On the face of the base portion 31 is a V- shaped toot-h 33 which is seated in a similarly shaped seat 34 in the dash 23 when the handle 32 is at rest or inoperative position.

A plate 35 is secured to the face of the dash 23 around the base portion .31. hen the handle is moved from the inoperative position described the tooth 33 rides over this plate.

On the further enlarged inner end 36 of the barrel 25 are the contacts for closing the circuit to the lamps 21 and 22, it being understood that similar lamps 37 and 38 (Fig.

7) are mounted in the lamp housing 12. The contacts are substantially Yshaped (Fig. 3) and are indicated by 39 and -10. Carried by the dash 23 are supporting members 41 and 42. On the supporting member 4-1 are contacts 13 and 44 which are respectively connected to the lamps 21 and 37 thru conductor 15 and 46. The other terminals of said lamps are grounded as indicated at i? and 48. Similar contacts 49 and 50 are carried by the support 42 and are connected 1 to the lamps 22 and .38 thru conductors 51 and 52 and there lamps are grounded as at and 54. A source of current 55 is provided and one terminal thereof is connected to the barrel 25 by lead 56 and therefore to contacts 39 and 40. hen the barrel 25 is rotated by the manipulation of the handle 32 these contacts are moved into engagement With either the contacts 44 and 43 or contacts 50 and 49 and thus a circuit is closed to either lamps 21 and 37 or to lamps 22 and 38 since the other terminal of the source 55 is grounded as indicated at 57 \Vhile I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for invention it is to be understood that this is capable of variation and modification in size, shape, and materials Without departing from the purview of my invention as set forth in the appended claim.

I claim:

A switch structure including a barrel having an enlarged portion at its inner end defining a shoulder, spaced contacts carried by the enlarged portion of the barrel, spaced contacts upon opposite sides of the barrel adapted to be engaged by the contacts on the barrel, a coil spring surrounding the barrel and normally bearing against the shoulder for urging the barrel inwardly a handle having a hub surrounding the outer end of the barrel and secured thereto, whereby the barrel can be rotated upon manipulation of the handle to move the contacts on the barrel into engagement with the contacts upon either side of the barrel and means for retaining the barrelagainst turning movement.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 9th day of January, A. D. 1929.

HERMAN M. DEMS, JR. 

